When I go to my local SMYTH’s, I sometimes feel a bit anxious going in if I’m going to buy something. One time, I went in the store when it had just opened to buy a game that had released that day. Today, I went to buy a plush from a game that’s unfortunately gotten a lot of content farms & I honestly felt a little weird carrying it to the till & out the store. I think it’s my age (16) that makes me feel like this. Does anyone else feel this way when buying merchandise?
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It seems to me, I’m quite a bit older, that ‘social media’ is to blame for this. Posts telling us not to do ‘this’ and always do ‘that’, them another brand or news source telling us we’ve been doing ‘this’ wrong all our lives and to now start a new way . . . in short, everyone around us is shouting that we’re not doing what we’re supposed to be doing, so walking to the register with a gallon of whole milk makes me feel like a walk of shame because some doctor or health organization says it’s wrong!
Honestly yeah, I’ve always felt that…in my mid 30s now.
I think it’s a common thing. If you start avoiding buying things because of it, that’s less common. So, for example, if in three days you go to buy another plush, but you decide against it bc you’re worried about being judged, make a note. Obsessing over your behavior and adjusting it in public to avoid an interaction you’ve made up is a very clear indicator of pretty bad social anxiety. Medications and talk therapy can help
It could be anxiety, but your age is probably the biggest part of it. As a teen and young adult, I remember feeling like everyone was always looking at me and judging me. The older I get the more I realize nobody really cares what I’m doing or even notices. Enjoy your merch!